FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona women’s soccer team went into Sunday’s morning match against Weber State with an undefeated Big Sky Conference record. Like Friday night’s match against Idaho State, the Lumberjacks were again trailing going into the second half and came back to tie the game but eventually dropped their first Big Sky loss to the Wildcats 2-1.

“We looked fatigued throughout the entire game,” said head coach Andre Luciano. “We may have been emotionally drained from Friday night’s win and the discipline has to be there to mentally prepare for the next game.”

The Wildcats were able to score first off a goal from Abbey Kennedy in the 32^nd minute of the first half. Despite Weber State’s goal, there was very little offense in the first half with both teams combining for four shots on goal. However, Weber State was able to posses the ball for most of the first and the Wildcats were able to capitalize on its opportunities to take the early lead.

Once again, the Lumberjacks responded with a goal in the 62^nd minute with a goal from sophomore Emily Wadell off a throw-in from Mary Harrah. Harrah’s throw-in was initially to Cierra Gamble, who was able to get a shot on goal. Gamble’s shot bounced off the Weber State goalkeeper’s hands and Wadell was able to get the rebound and put it in the back of the net to tie the game.

“Coach told me to fill in the back post, so then I was able to get my foot on the ball,” said Wadell on her first career goal as a Lumberjack. “I was in the right place at the right time and I’m glad I was able to tie the game up.”

Weber State was able to retake the lead in less than 10 minutes with a goal from Chansi Crompton to give the Wildcats the 2-1 lead.

The Lumberjacks were never able to get in a rhythm as Weber State was able to control the ball most of the game and applied heavy pressure on the Lumberjacks putting up 13 shots with 10 of them being on goal. Northern Arizona was only able to put five shots on goal in a physical match with 14 total fouls between both teams.

This is the fifth straight game the Lumberjacks have trailed in a match and have had to come back from behind, which Luciano would like to see change in the future.

“We have to stop playing from behind,” said Luciano. “We have had to play from behind every game since Colorado State and eventually the well runs dry. It takes a lot of effort to play from behind and we need to start getting in front of the game.”

The Lumberjacks will now regroup before they head out on the road for their first two-game Big Sky Conference road trip of the season to face Sacramento State and Portland State beginning on Oct. 11 at Sacramento State.

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